10 Questions with ... Jason Nivens

NAME:Jason Nivens TITLE:Air talent/nights STATIONS:KQRC 98.9 The Rock! MARKET:Kansas City COMPANY:Entercom BORN:Kansas City RAISED:KC

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Spring 98 -- intern KQRC ... Winter 98 -- hired to work at KMKF, moved into mornings within three months. Fired in Feb. of '00. Moved around for four years to find myself (I heard I was lost). Moved back to KC in Dec. of '03. Hired part-time at KQRC in July of '04, doing niights as of March 06

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

Weekend overnights in a college town, not at a college radio station, in Manhattan, KS. KQRC is an early influence. I grew up listening to The Rock, and now I get the opportunity to play for this team. It's a dream come true.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

In high school I watched a friend of mine be the play-by-play announcer for a Powder Puff (girls vs. girls) flag football game. Everyone said, "Scott's such a natural. He should get into radio." I knew I wanted to get into radio to prove I could, not Scott. He was my best friend since kindergarten, and I guess you could say I wanted to show him up.

3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Probably in New York trying my hand at theater, or in L.A. trying to be in movies or maybe off in Europe writing a novel. Anything that involves entertainment.

4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

Everyone in their positions knows what we're trying to do. From the sales staff to promotions, all of us on-air and our boss, Bob Edwards, are focused on providing the best for our listeners. It's very much like a family, where everyone trusts each other to do their best.

5) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?

For a listener, it's just more options. If you're looking for local and live, then you won't find it with satellite and Internet, like you can with terrestrial.

6) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

I think terrestrial radio will always be around. Too many people like local and live. As for me. five years from now? Probably still trying to figure out how best to answer this question.

7) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Introducing new music and bands faster than anything else.

8) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?

My music taste is so broad. Everything from Robert Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Tool to Rage Against the Machine, Motorhead and the Sex Slaves. Whatever song or band I'm listening to usually has to do with what kind of mood I'm in at that given moment.

9) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?

I had a listener dying to see Black Label Society in concert. She agreed to get a BLS tattoo on her butt cheek for tickets. That was fun to watch!

10) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep ... and what sources do you use?

I look at what I do as something that goes on round the clock. I'm on air at 7p and off at midnight. In the daytime I'm watching TV, surfing the Internet, writing down ideas for that night. Trying to come up with ideas for my show that I think the listeners will dig on.

What is your favorite TV Commercial? Radio Commercial?

www.mytalkingstain.com

Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?

I'm a huge NPR geek. Sports Talk's cool too.

You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?

Tool -- AEnima
Stevie Ray Vaughn -- Blues at Sunrise
Rage Against the Machine -- Debut
Pearl Jam -- Ten
Not sure on disc 5. Probably Michael Jackson's Thriller. It's a classic!

Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

Adam Corolla back in the LoveLine days.

What do you do in your spare time?

Read, watch movies, write ... God, I'm boring!

What do you like best about working in this format?

It's Rock-n-Roll, man! Nuff said!